There are currently restrictions on flights to Abu Dhabi along with the rest of United Arab Emirates. Before you book or search for flights, consider the following restrictions:
Entry restrictionsThe United Arab Emirates has restricted the entry of most non-residents. However, there is a separate set of regulations specifically for entering Dubai, which was announced on June 21 and is now in effect for Dubai residents and visitors.
Entry requirementsTravelers must meet entry visa requirements to visit the UAE.
UAE nationals are exempt from doing the COVID‑19 PCR test prior to departing from the country of origin to Dubai. They will be tested on arrival in Dubai.
Traveling to Dubai.
Travel requirements for Dubai residents:
Depending on travelers' UAE visa, they need to apply to either the GDRFA or ICA for approval to return.
Travelers who are Dubai residence visa holders must have return approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
Travelers holding a visa from any other emirate outside of Dubai, you must obtain entry permission from the Federal Authority.
All passengers arriving to Dubai from any point of origin (including GCC countries) must have a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within 72 hours prior to departure. Negative COVID-19 certificates must be printed in English or Arabic. No hand written, SMS or digital certificates will be accepted. Children under the age of 12 and passengers with a severe or moderate disability are exempt from the PCR test.
The UAE government has specified designated laboratories. All travelers can either use the recommended laboratories in the list or any trusted and certified laboratories in your country of origin to get your COVID‑19 PCR test. However, travelers flying from India, Pakistan or Bangladesh must get their certificate from one of the labs listed in the designated laboratories document to be accepted on the flight.
Upon arrival, all travelers must download and register their details on the COVID-19 DXB App (iOS)-(Android).
Travelers must have a medical travel insurance with international coverage that covers COVID-19 before traveling. Travelers will need to sign a declaration to bear all costs of quarantine and treatment and complete a Health Declaration Form before departure confirming they are not displaying COVID-19 symptoms.
Before visitors fly to Dubai, they will also be required to complete a Health Declaration Form and a Quarantine Form. Both forms need to be printed, completed and handed over to Dubai Health Authority staff on arrival.
Travelers may also be required to undertake a a further COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai and will have to isolate pending the result of the COVID-19 PCR test.
Passport holders from certain countries including the US, Canada, and the UK may be able to receive a tourist visa on arrival in Dubai, typically valid for 30 days. To see more information on this and other regulations for travel to Dubai, check this page.
Traveling to Abu Dhabi:
Depending on flight origin, test must be carried out between 48, 72 or 96 hours ahead of flight departure time.
Travelers to Abu Dhabi from the 'green' list of countries, regions and territories will be required to present a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours prior to their departure.
Traveling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi:
Tourists arriving to Abu Dhabi by land via other emirates, from countries included on the 'green' list will be allowed entry to Abu Dhabi after presenting a negative PCR test, valid for 48 hours.
Visitors coming in from other destinations who wish to enter Abu Dhabi through neighboring emirates will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result within 48 hours of receiving the examination, in addition to undergoing a quarantine period in Abu Dhabi if they have been in the UAE for less than 10 days (quarantine period requirement depends on the number of days spent in the UAE prior to entry into Abu Dhabi).
Traveling to Sharjah:
Travelers must have a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within 96 hours prior to travel.
Visitors and tourist must have an international medical insurance and a local UAE Mobile Number starting with 050, 056, 057 or 058 for PCR track and trace purposes. Without a UAE Mobile Number, passengers will not be allowed into the UAE. Telecom providers have booths in the Arrival PCR Testing Zones, so that a UAE SIM Card can be purchased, if needed.
Travelers are required to download ALHOSN app.
Quarantine requirementsStringent entry restrictions remain in place upon arrival at all airports in the UAE which may include, but are not limited to, a Health Authority COVID-19 PCR test on arrival, mandatory quarantine period, usually via self-isolation at a private address if suitable, or a hotel or Government facility, for at least 14 days, and follow up testing before you are able to complete quarantine. Once any quarantine period is complete you must continue to comply with all measures put in place by the UAE authorities to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Abu Dhabi Quarantine Requirements:
Travelers from one of the 'green' countries, regions and territories will be exempt from the quarantine period. Upon arrival, they will need to take a second test and self-isolate until the results of this test are received. All travelers will need to take a PCR test on day 6 for those staying for 6 days or more, and on day 12 for those staying for 12 days or more.
For travelers entering from destinations not on the 'green' list, procedures include the following:
Upon arrival to Abu Dhabi, medical authorities will conduct another PCR test after they have are disembarked from their flight.
Following the PCR test, travelers will then need to register under the quarantine system. they will be provided with an electronic wristband, which they will need to wear throughout the ten-day quarantine period. The health authorities will evaluate the most appropriate location for their quarantine. This may be their home, a hotel, or accommodation provided by medical authorities.
All travelers will need to take a PCR test on day 6 for those staying for 6 days or more, and on day 12 for those staying for 12 days or more.
Should they receive a negative result, 10 days after their arrival into Abu Dhabi, the electronic wristband will be removed by medical authorities, and they can finish their quarantine period.
Travelers entering Abu Dhabi who have participated in the UAE voluntary COVID19 vaccination program or have participated in the third phase of clinical vaccination research or who have obtained a mark in the ‘Al Hosn App’ are exempt from quarantine on arrival in Abu Dhabi.
Sharjah Quarantine Requirements:
Travelers will have to undergo another PCR test upon arrival at Sharjah Airport regardless of their earlier negative report.
All incoming travelers are subject to self-isolation at their residence until the results of their PCR test are notified. In case the result is negative, the self-isolation period will end. In case of a positive case of PCR test, the period of medical isolation is 14 days, with travelers or their sponsors bearing the expenses of treatment and isolation.
Transiting rulesTravelers transiting in Dubai from Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, North Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UK or US are not required to present a COVID‑19 PCR test certificate unless it is mandated by the country of origin or final destination.
Travelers transiting in Dubai from Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, Cote d’lvoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Slovakia, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia or Zimbabwe must have a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate that is valid for 96 hours from the date of test, as well as any requirements for their final destination.
Travelers transiting through Abu Dhabi or Sharjah must have a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 96 hours before departure of the last direct flight to United Arab Emirates.
If you are looking to book a trip to Abu Dhabi and are outside of the restricted areas, please take the proper precautions and stay informed about
traveling during COVID-19.
